Exhausted, constant fatigue, no energy, weight gain, bloating, irritability? The SOS diet is here to rescue you!

My SOS diet is based on the function of my 3 food groups: switch-on, switch-over and switch-off. It is an eating plan that harmonises with the natural yin and yang cycle of every 24 hours, and it promotes physical and emotional health, plus a healthy weight.

I call it SOS because it’s a fantastic way to help your health, energy levels, productivity and happiness (plus SOSOSO just doesn’t sound as catchy)

Switch-on foods are for breakfast

Ideally oatmeal porridge which has long chain sugars that provide energy for up to 5 hours. This means you’ll avoid the mid-morning energy crashes of the toast or smoothie breakfasts, and the associated craving for sugar or caffeine. That’s a health disruptor.

Switch-over foods are for lunch.

Their job is to ground the energy you switched-on in the morning and properly fuel your afternoon. The ideal Switch-over foods include a good protein source such as fish, chicken, meat or lots of beans. Plus what I call a ‘grounding carb’ such as rice, and lots of yummy veggies.

And remember as you eat that you’re now also switching your activities from yang to yin. You’ll know you nailed your Switch-over meal if you cruise through the afternoon with no 3:30itis or sweet cravings. If you’re hitting chocolate and caffeine in the afternoon, you’re setting yourself up for interrupted sleep and metabolic disorders.

The third group, the ‘switch-off’ foods, are for the evening.

These are simple easy-to-digest and easy to make, and their job is promote yin (calmness) and prep you for a good night’s sleep. My all-time favorite Switch-off meal is a heart-warming, spleen-satisfying  pumpkin soup, with some crusty bread (rye). I also have sardines (a great oily fish that promotes sleep?), on a bed of rocket, with a sprinkle of Himalayan rock salt (coarsely ground).  And, of course, a nice glass of red.

Switch on, switch over, switch off – it’s the tried and tested formula for an energy building productive day and a restful and rejuvenating sleep, and it’s the secret to a healthy weight.

For more of my tips for a healthy weight check out my online course  New Ways to Lose Weight.